Melanie Onn Backs New Crackdown on Organised Crime on Our High Streets

Melanie has welcomed new Government plans to crack down on organised crime gangs operating through rogue businesses on Britain’s high streets.

The Government has announced a £30 million nationwide enforcement programme targeting businesses suspected of links to money laundering and criminal activity, including sham barber shops, vape stores, mini marts and sweet shops.

The measures will support raids, closure orders and the seizure of criminal assets, alongside the creation of a new High Street Organised Crime Unit bringing together the National Crime Agency, police, Trading Standards, HMRC and Immigration Enforcement.

Extra enforcement officers will also be recruited in hotspot areas, while Trading Standards teams will receive additional funding to increase inspections and enforcement activity.

The crackdown follows sustained campaigning by Melanie and Labour colleagues to tackle rogue businesses and the criminal activity linked to them. It also builds on Operation Machinize, which has already resulted in hundreds of arrests, thousands of premises visits and millions of pounds worth of criminal assets being seized.

Melanie said communities across Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes wanted to see local high streets thrive and legitimate businesses protected.

She said: “People across Grimsby and Cleethorpes want to feel proud of their local high streets again, and honest local businesses should not have to compete with criminal gangs operating in plain sight.

“For too long, organised crime groups have used rogue businesses to launder money, exploit vulnerable workers and undermine local communities.

“I have been raising concerns about these issues for some time, so it is good to see real action being taken. These new powers and extra enforcement will help drive criminal activity off our high streets and support the genuine local businesses that do the right thing and serve our communities well.”